Business development associate - #2152939

Role Overview

We are seeking a motivated Business Development Associate to support our growth initiatives, partnerships, and market outreach activities. This role offers hands-on exposure to business development within an international consultancy environment, with a strong focus on economic development, foreign direct investment (FDI), and public–private collaboration.

The role is well suited to candidates with proven experience in sales, marketing and business development keen to work on a wide range of projects driving sales.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake business development initiatives, including lead generation, pipeline tracking, and opportunity research.
• Help create captivating copy for websites, emails, newsletters and articles. Work with external consultants on how AI changes narratives, styles and choice of words.
• Work with comms teams to maximise outreach activities.
• Contribute to redesign of website to better respond to client needs, current trends and technological demands.
• Help with launching new book and lever occasion to drive sales.
• Assist in preparing proposals, pitch decks, capability statements, and client-facing materials.
• Help identify potential partners, clients, and strategic collaborators across public and private sectors.
• Conduct market and sector research related to foreign direct investment, economic development, and city-level growth strategies.
• Maintain CRM records and organizing business development data and documentation.
• Contribute to thought leadership efforts, including research summaries, case studies, and insight briefs.
• Provide general support to senior team members on strategic growth and partnership initiatives.

Qualifications & Skills

• Excellent native-level English writing skills.
• Strong communications and analytical skills.
• A salesperson at heart who find joy in sales.
• A savvy marketeer well versed in using technology to aid sales.
• Comfortable working in small organisations and in entrepreneurial environment.
• Degree in Business, Economics, Behavioural Economics, International Relations, Public Policy, Urban Studies, Geography, Anthropology, Communications or a related field a plus. Open to other backgrounds as well.
• Interest in foreign direct investment, economic development, consulting, or public–private partnerships.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently in a remote, flexible environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Workspace; familiarity with CRM Zoho tools is a plus
• Glass half-full attitude, adaptable and a proactive mindset.
• A freelancer with other commitments, looking for an additional client in their client portfolio is a plus.

About us

Cities & Collaboration (C&Co) is a foreign direct investment and economic development consultancy that designs and delivers impact-driven programs covering the entire investment lifecycle. From strategy to training, thought leadership to sustainability; our consultancy and training programmes equip teams from across the world with the strategies, tools, and mindsets needed to mobilise foreign investors as champions of long-term growth.

Through advisory services, training, events and executive coaching, we support governments, institutions, and businesses in navigating complex investment and development landscapes. Cities Collaboration Ltd is also recognized as a thought leader in the field, actively contributing research, insights, and practical frameworks that help shape the future of economic development and place-based investment.